Schönbrunn Palace, a stunning example of 18th-century architecture, is worth visiting for both its magnificent architecture and its park-like setting. This stunning Baroque palace, one of Vienna's most popular tourist destinations, has more than 1,441 rooms and apartments, including some that were formerly used by Empress Maria Theresa.

Visits to the Imperial Apartments, which still have the small soldier's bed where Emperor Franz Joseph passed away, are among the tour's highlights. Of Empress Maria Theresa's rooms, highlights include her richly furnished and decorated garden apartments, along with her Breakfast Room with its floral artwork created by her daughters. The Schönbrunn Park and Gardens should also be visited. With its wide views and magnificent Baroque gardens, the park—designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the best free things to do in Vienna (although you will have to pay to enter the maze and some of the adjoining buildings, such as the 1883 Palm House). Visit the Children's Museum with children if you want to see them dressed as a prince or princess there.

Address: Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Vienna, Austria

The Hofburg is probably the most historically significant of Vienna's palaces because it served as the seat of the Habsburgs for more than six centuries and the official residence of every Austrian emperor from 1275.

This vast complex, which serves as the official residence of the Austrian President, is made up of a number of buildings that reflect many periods of history, including flourishes from the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo movements. 59 acres total, 18 groups of buildings, 19 courtyards, and 2,600 rooms make up this massive complex. The Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Silver Collection are its main draws, and other noteworthy places within the complex include the Imperial Chapel (Burgkapelle), which houses a large collection of imperial regalia, and the Hofburg Treasury, which houses artifacts from the Holy Roman Empire. Informative guided tours are available in English.

Address: Michaelerkuppel, 1010 Vienna, Austria

The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna is housed in a beautiful building built specifically to display the great art collections of the Hapsburg royal family. The world's biggest collection of Pieter Bruegel the Elder's works, including his masterwork Tower of Babel, may be found in the outstanding Dutch art collection. Additionally, there are works by Raphael, Titian, Bellini, Caravaggio, and Vermeer, as well as Velazquez's portraits. While the museum's focus is on paintings from the late Italian Renaissance, the Baroque, and the Flemish school, its collections also include ancient Egyptian artifacts and works of classical Greek and Roman art.

The museum has a view of Maria-Theresien-Platz, which is highlighted by a large monument to Empress Maria Theresa. Franz Joseph I commissioned the statue, which was unveiled in 1887. This large monument portrays the Empress seated on her throne and is surrounded by notable figures from her era, including many generals riding horses. Famous people from the fields of politics, business, and the arts, such as Haydn, Gluck, and Mozart, are portrayed in the high reliefs.

Address: Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Belvedere Palace, one of Vienna's most well-known sights, is made up of the Upper (Oberes) and Lower (Unteres) Belvedere, two magnificent Baroque buildings. The Ground Floor Hall with its statues and the Ceremonial Staircase with its magnificent stucco relief and frescoes are two of the Upper Palace's highlights.

The Marble Hall is very worth a look. Numerous historical sculptures, paintings, and ceiling frescoes may be seen in this magnificent two-story hall. The Marble Gallery, which was built to house a collection of historical statues, is another highlight of the Lower Palace. It is characterized by oval plaster medallions and a rich ceiling fresco. The Winter Palace, a Baroque building that once housed the Court Treasury, the Orangery, the Palace Stables, which housed the Medieval Treasury, and the Belvedere Gardens and Fountains linking the two palaces are other must-see buildings.

Address: Prinz Eugen Strasse 27, A-1037 Vienna, Austria

Vienna Zoo, also known as Schönbrunn Zoo (Tiergarten Schönbrunn) is the oldest continuously running zoo in the world, having been established in 1752. It's one of the most delightful zoos in Europe to visit, with many of its original Baroque buildings still surviving, especially if you spend some time looking for refreshment in the old 18th-century Imperial Breakfast Pavilion, which today houses a wonderful café.

The zoo's giant pandas, which include cubs, and the other exotic animals kept in the fascinating Rainforest House and Aquarium are highlights of its more than 750 species collection. If you're on a family trip to Vienna, make sure to check the zoo's official website for information on feeding times, which is always interesting. The availability of special themed and backstage guided tours is something else to look into.

Address: Maxingstraße 13b, 1130 Vienna, Austria

The spectacular Albertina museum features many works by most of the prominent names in modern art. The best artists from school and movement, including the French impressionists, Vienna secessionists, Russian avant-garde, expressionists, and fauvists, are featured here as representative examples. Important pieces by artists like Chagall, Picasso, Cezanne, Degas, Magritte, Vlaminck, Modigliani, Klimt, Munch, Kandinsky, Münter, Miró, Brach, and Ernst are among them. Including over 65,000 drawings, this must-see Vienna attraction is home to over a million works of art in all.

Add the brand-new Albertina Modern to your list of must-see attractions in Vienna if there is time in your schedule. The Albertina's large collection of post-World War II and contemporary art by Austrian and international artists are housed in this recently refurbished neoclassical building, which is only a short 10-minute walk away on Karlsplatz.

Address: Albertinaplatz 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria

The Vienna State Opera House (Wiener Staatsoper), one of the biggest and most beautiful theaters in the world, has hosted numerous shows by the most well-known conductors, soloists, and dancers in the world. At least 300 opera and ballet performances are done annually.

A grand staircase leading to the first floor, the Schwind Foyer (so named because it features paintings of famous opera scenes), and the exquisite Tea Room with its valuable tapestries are among the interior highlights of the current enormous Opera House, which was built in 1869 and is notable for its French Early Renaissance style. The Opera House is the home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and can hold 2,211 audiences as well as 110 musicians. There are provided guided tours of the backstage areas in English.

Address: Opernring 2, 1010 Vienna, Austria

St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom), the most significant Gothic edifice in Vienna and the cathedral church of the archbishopric since 1722, is located in the city's old quarter. The massive gate and the Heathen Towers (Heidentürme) are the only remnants of the original 12th-century Late Romanesque church, which was replaced by one in the 13th century.

The entire structure was reconstructed following World War II. The North Tower, which houses the enormous Pummerin Bell, and the 343 steps up to the Steffl's Watch Room with its breathtaking views are highlights. A fast lift takes visitors to a viewing platform for those who don't want to climb steps. Catacombs dating back to the fourteenth century and the Cathedral Treasure, which houses many of the cathedral's most significant artifacts, are additional noteworthy features.

Address: Stephansplatz 3, 1010 Vienna, Austria

The Natural History Museum in Vienna, also known as Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, is a fascinating place to visit. It is best known for its enormous Dinosaur Hall and for housing the largest meteorite exhibit in the world, which includes the Tissint meteorite from Mars that landed in Morocco in 2011.

Its 39 exhibit halls include themes including the growth of human civilization since prehistoric times, as well as the origins and development of people. The "Venus of Willendorf," a pottery figure that dates to between about 28,000 and 25,000 BCE, is one of its most valuable rarities. The Digital Planetarium with full dome projection is the newest addition to the museum. The building, which was finished in 1889, is in and of itself a piece of art, notably the magnificent ceiling painting that hangs over the main staircase.

Address: Burgring 7, 1010, Vienna, Austria

Vienna's City Hall (Weiner Rathaus) is a magnificent Neo-Gothic building that houses the city's administrative offices and is located in the center of the historic Innere Stadt with a view of Rathausplatz. It takes up about 14,000 square meters of the ancient Parade Ground, which is remarkable for its size.

This beautiful, widely photographed building was constructed in 1883, and its most renowned feature is the Rathausmann, a banner-carrying iron figure presented to the city as a gift from its master locksmith. The largest of the building's seven courtyards, the arcaded courtyard in the center is where popular summer concerts are held. A guided tour of the building's highlights includes the Schmidt Halle, a large entrance where carriages formerly deposited their passengers, and the two Grand Staircases leading to the Assembly Hall.

Address: Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria